Getting the Word Out About George Hood's Latest Guinness World Record Achievement

A few weeks ago, I noted the Guinness World Record attempt by George Hood in spin cycling, in support of the Gunnar Hotchkin Memorial Fund.

In the spirit of follow-up--and George Hood is nothing if not the consummate example of persistent follow-up, here's a news release that Inside Edge PR produced in the aftermath of Hood's successful ride: "Two Much: George Hood Wraps Up Spin Cycling Marathon at 222 Hours, 22 Minutes, 22 Seconds.

Along with other volunteers' efforts, Inside Edge PR helped secure coverage for George's feat on WGN Radio (host Greg Jarrett), WBBM Radio (Mike Krauser), NBC 5, and a variety of local newspaper outlets.

Congratulations to George, whose record-setting rides (as well as a few that fell short) I've publicized for nearly four years. And kudos to the volunteer crew that played an integral role in his extraordinary effort.

Below is a video clip, shot by Devyn Bokos of Urban Tri Gear in Burr Ridge, that shows George cruising past the prior record of 200 hours:

Providing PR Support for Guinness World Record Bid, Hotchkin Family Fundraiser

Much afoot with Inside Edge PR, including a great cause that was oh-so-easy to get behind: raising awareness about an outreach to help the family of Gunnar Hotchkin, a Hinsdale native who was killed in Afghanistan earlier this year.

Starting on Saturday, Oct. 23, the indefatigable George Hood is aiming for another Guinness World Record and using the platform to raise money for the Hotchkins, as noted in this TribLocal piece.

If George's name looks familiar, it may be because I have blogged about him before, in addition to providing PR support, either officially or informally, for all five of his GWR bids on the spin bike.

Ride IV Reasons: Guinness Bid Gets Under Way

On Sunday night, with the much-awaited start of Ride IV Reasons, Inside Edge PR entered the marathon PR phase of its effort in support of that Guinness World Record attempt.

George Hood, a 52-year-old Aurora, Ill. man, has already set the Guinness mark twice—only to have the record eclipsed shortly thereafter by other ultra-athletes. This time, George wants to stretch the record so far (over 12 ½ days to a staggering 300 hours) that it discourages anyone else from ever trying to top it.

The journey will play out in the space most recently occupied by Lazarus Furniture, in the Aurora Marketplace Shopping Center, at the northwest corner of Route 59 and 75th St. It is most certainly open to the public, so if you're anywhere close, be sure to swing by as there are a variety of activities under way. Details are at the Ride IV Reasons website.

You can also see George live via video webstream.

The fund-raising goal is $200,000. Beneficiaries will be the Injured Marine Semper Fi Fund, which provides support to Marines injured in Afghanistan and Iraq and their families; and a variety of programs through the United Way of Fox Valley, about an hour west of Chicago.

It's the third time I've done public relations as George has gone on a protracted spin and I encourage you to get involved as well in some way, through your time, a financial donation, or both. It's always gratifying to be part of something so much bigger than any one individual person.

More updates to follow. Meantime, you can see the countdown to the start right here.

Inside Edge Aboard to Promote Ride IV Reasons

This past Saturday night, I went to a former furniture store in Aurora to check in on George Hood, a world-class endurance athlete who since 2006 has been pushing his body to the brink in pursuit of the Guinness World Record for the spin cycle marathon.

Officially twice and informally once, I've publicized all three of George's prior rides, including the first one in January 2007 that attracted global media coverage and may well have spurred on some of the one-upsmanship that has ensued between George and other ultra-endurance athletes.

About five weeks ago, Inside Edge PR was brought aboard by the United Way of Fox Valley for George's next--and presumably last--effort, Ride IV Reasons.

George has captured the Guinness World Record twice--at 111-plus hours and then at 177-plus hours. Both times, he hoped the record would stick for a while, but both times they were toppled in short order. This time around, George is looking to extend the record to a mind-blowing 300 hours, even as he tries to spearhead $200,000in fund-raising.

You can read more about his background, and the great causes that he's riding on behalf, at RideGeorgeRide.org.

I've also set up a YouTube channel for his current campaign, Ride IV Reasons. One of the videos on the site, showing the gritty process of George subjecting himself to one of the all-too-brief naps that are allowed under Guinness guidelines, is below.

No Guinness World Record, Doggone It!

The mass dog wedding that I publicized, I Do, Doggone It!, may have set a record for the most same-sex dog "marriages" on Saturday in downtown Oak Park.

However, that is not yet a sanctioned Guinness World Record category.

So the 87 total marriages, while certainly one of the biggest in pooch history, fell shy of the Guinness mark (178), set in May 2007 in Littleton, Col.

To check out some video that I shot during the whimsical festivities, you can check out the blog DogWedding.info.

You can also visit a Chicago Tribune photo gallery of the event.

An Open Invitation To The Obama Girls

It's not every day that you invite the President-elect's daughters to come to a mass dog wedding.

But when it comes to a great cause, has a logical link to a pledge that Barack Obama made before the world on Tuesday night, and Sasha and Malia just happen to be in the neighborhood anyway...well, it just seems like the right thing to do.

Check out excerpts from the Guinness World Record attempt news release, touting the canine conjugals tomorrow in downtown Oak Park. It all starts at 11 a.m. for those dogs that need a speed-dating service, with bow vows at 1 p.m.

Even if the Obama girls aren't able to join in the fun, plenty of people will and you're invited along too. Here, you can check out the history of I Do, Doggone It!